PIG bag

ABSTRACT

This invention is an insulating and protective piece of equipment for cameras and their attachments. This invention will relieve the problems photographers face shooting in extreme temperatures and inclimate weather. These problems include frozen batteries, failing shutters, slowed flash speeds, and impaired manual dexterity (frozen fingers). Made of sturdy neoprene and lined with polar fleece, the product fits snugly around the body of the camera and the hand, wrist, and forearm of the photographer. Clear plastic windows allow the photographer to view the camera settings and continue working through a wide range of conditions without removing his hand from the invention. Providing protection, warmth, and insulation from the elements, the invention would ultimately increase the performance of the equipment and the photographer.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] As a professional photographer I observed a need for thisinvention while working in the professional field of photography,specifically shooting outdoor and cold weather events in the mountainsof Colorado and Wyoming.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0002] While talking with other professional photographers, it becamemore and more obvious that the problems of shooting photos in coldweather situations were substantial. This invention will relieve theproblems of equipment seizing up, equipment slowing down, batteriesdraining, and basic discomfort experienced by the photographer whenworking in extreme cold weather. Along the same vein, this inventionwill also protect expensive camera equipment from many foul weatherconditions, including protection from water and moisture from conditionsexperienced while shooting outdoors. I realized the void in thephotographic field that this invention should take hold in.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0003] Construction of a handheld insulated camera case for use inextreme cold weather. Made of sturdy neoprene and lined with polarfleece, the product fits snugly around the body of the camera and thehand of the photographer while being held by the photographer. Providingprotection, warmth, and insulation from the elements, the inventionwould ultimately increase the expected performance of the equipment.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] To protect professional camera equipment from extreme coldweather, moisture, and foul weather elements allowing it to perform atits expected performance level while providing comfort and warmth to thephotographer as he works.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention was devised after myself, a professionalphotographer, was working many cold weather sports events in which myequipment, due to the extreme cold temperatures, began to falter badly.Besides draining batteries and slowing flash bursts, my hands becamebitterly and painfully cold after having to remove gloves to adjustcamera settings and change batteries which in turn affected my abilityto achieve my job objective; to get the best photos possible.

[0006] After noticing that all other professional photographers at thesesame events were in the same situation. I began to think about whatwould provide solutions to these problems and decided that a productthat would provide protection from the elements; cold, snow, rain, whileat the same provide warmth and insulate both the camera equipment andthe photographer's hands while not inhibiting the photographers abilityto work I began talking with other photographers asking them if therewere solutions to these issues created by shooting in cold weatherconditions presently in the photography market. I found that up to nowall they did was use rubber bands to attach hot packets directly totheir equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] [Looking at the Front View Illustration]

[0008] The basic body of the invention is not much bigger than theactual camera body. It would fit snug around the shape of the camerabody leaving just enough room for the photographers hand to accompanythe camera comfortably within the case. (FIG. 1) On the front side ofthe invention there is an elastic opening to allow a wide selection ofdifferent size camera lenses to point through (FIG. 2). Since there isno electronics in the lenses, the need to insulate and protect them isnot there.

[0009] [Looking at the Top View & Rear View Illustrations]

[0010] On the top panel and on the back panel there are windows madewith heavy gauge plastic (FIGS. 3 & 4) to allow the photographer to seethe settings on the camera as he adjusts them accordingly while working.Also on the top panel is access to the camera “hotshoe”, or flashattachment (FIG. 8).

[0011] [Looking at the Rear View & Front View Illustrations]

[0012] On the right side (right side from the photographersperspective), the camera shooting hand, there is an extension off thebody of the product, similar to a glove, (FIG. 5) that covers the upperwrist and hand. A drawstring at the bottom allows for added comfort andwarmth (FIG. 7).

[0013] [Looking at the Rear View and Bottom View Illustrations]

[0014] To insert and remove the camera, there is an access zipper thatruns from the upper left side of the product down and along the bottomportion to the far side (FIG. 6).

1. What I claim as my invention is the product entitled “the PIG Bag”(PIG-Photographic Insulation Gear) which will hopefully be the first ina series of products made by myself, and my business, EclipsePhotography Inc. The basis of this invention was brought on by my workas a professional photography in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Whileshooting many cold weather sporting events; extreme skiing, freestylesnowboarding, snowmobiling, etc., I found that there was no product onthe market that provided any type of insulation and protection from theelements of cold weather, snow, and ice for the photographer and hisequipment. This resulted in painfully cold hands when adjusting thedials and settings on the camera during events, daytime or night, aswell as draining batteries and lagging equipment. A common effect of thecold on battery operated equipment in cold surroundings. It also tendedto be a bit of an issue, as well, when sprayed snow and ice fromathletes would get into the workings of camera equipment. In effect aworking camera bag. the invention is made of neoprene material, such aswetsuits are made, and will be insulated with a layer of polar fleecematerial, thus, keeping the camera and photographers hand warm and drywhile working. After talking to many fellow pro photographers, I foundout that even top photographers use nothing more than heat packs rubberbanded to their equipment, that's it. After hearing that, I am surethere is nothing at all on the market to fill this demand, so the PIGBag was conceived.